Sewing machine supporting and positioning means



iilurie 21, 1960 J. N. COVERT 2,941,490 SEWING MACHIE iE SUPPORTING AND POSITIONING MEANS Filed Nov. 28, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGJ June 21, 1960 J. N. COVERT 2,94 ,490

SEWING MACHINE SUPPORTING AND POSITIONING MEANS Filed Nov. 28, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 21, 1960 J.' N. COVERT 2,941,490

SEWING MACHINE SUPPORTING AND POSITIONING MEANS Filed Nov. 28, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 .9 Mill. v

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J. N. COVERT June 21, 1960 SEWING MACHINE SUPPORTING AND POSITIONING MEANS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 28, 1956 om J5- L a gmwflwm .H w mh a, i: v5. :1: w.

2,941,490 SEWING MACHINE SUPPORTING AND POSITIONING MEANS Filed Nov. 28, 1956 J. N. COVERT June 21, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 21,1960

J. N; COVERT 2,941,490 SEWING MACHINE SUPPORTING AND POSITIONING MEANS Filed Nov. 28, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 SEWING MACHINE SUPPORTING AND POSITIONING MEANS' John N. Covert, Lombard, Ill., assignor to Union Special Machine Company, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed Nov. 28, 1956, Ser. No. 624,813 18 Claims. (Cl. 112-258) This invention relates to supporting and positioning means for sewing machines and more particularly to a novel drip pan construction mounted in and around an opening through the top of a conventional sewing table or the like, and to certain cooperating elements.

A primary object of the invention has been to provide a drip pan, of the character indicated, which is simple and economical to produce and which enables a sewing machine to be readily fitted into a table top provided with an opening or openings which need not be formed with undue precision. Provisions are made for supporting the sewing machine on the drip pan in a manner to isolate vibrations and also certain shocks which develop in the operation of the machine. Various expedients are also provided for positioning and maintaining the sewing machine out of metal to metal contact with the drip pan and in proper relation to the belt opening in the table top. A' knee press mounted on the drip pan is arranged to operate the presser bar lifting mechanism of the sewing machine and the construction issuch as to facilitate adjustment of a part of the knee pressmechanism to conform with the location of the cooperating parts on the machine.

In achieving the foregoing purposes of the invention there are embodied in the construction of. the dripv pan and cooperating parts, including the sewing machine itself, a number of special features. The drip pan is formed in two parts, an upper bezel section and a lower pan-like section, these being preferably secured together in slightly spaced but fixed relation by connections at spaced points, preferably at the four corners of the side walls of the two sections. This enables formation ofthe pan as a whole in a simple and economical manner, as by stamping, in spite of the relatively complicated contour of the several parts for the performance, to best advantage,vof the various purposes of the construction. It also enables the use of different pan sections with a particular form of bezel section to accommodate different types of machines to best advantage.

Provision of the bezel section of the drip pan unit makes possible its proper location on the table top without the requirement of great precision in the formation of the machine receiving opening and the belt opening in the table top. Such precision in the formation and location of these openings has been dilficult to achieve and, as a result, certain problems have been encountered in the proper mounting of sewing machines on tables. The machine receiving opening through the table, in accordance with the invention, is made slightly larger than the periphery of the body of the drip pan unit so that the latter may be shifted slightly in two dimensions in relation to the table top to insure proper positioning of the sewing machine pulley in relation to the belt opening. The drip pan unit issupported from the table by a horizontally extending flange at the top of the bezel section and when this is properly located the unit may besecured to the table top by nails or screws passing through the fiange'or through the vertical wall of the bezel'section or both. If the table is provided with a Formicatop surface or, the like, the nails or screws will preferably be provided only through, the vertical walls of-thebezel section.

When the drippan unitris properly positioned inthe manner explained thepan-like section will be properly located beneath those portions of the machine from which lubricant is likely to drip. Such lubricant is. then collected in a jar or the like detachably connected with a spout or nozzle at the bottom of the. pan section.

The bezel section of the drip pan unit is provided .with inwardly extending shelvesadjacent. the four corners for support of the base of the sewing machine. These shelves are located at a proper elevation to. maintain the cloth plate of the sewing machinein desired position in relation to the table top, and, preferably they cooperate with the under face of the cloth plate for this purpose. To isolate vibrations created upon operation of the sewing machine and prevent their transmission to the table, isolation members in the form of pads formed of rubber or the like are mounted on the'several shelves. These isolators preferably have ribformations on one or both surfaces. They are detachably secured to thes-helves by means of spring clips having fingers extending into the groovesbetween the rib formations so. that the supported surface of the sewing machine will not engage the. clips. The padsthus efiectively serve. to. isolate. theindicated vibrations.

It has been found'that shock loads are imparted to a sewing machine upon the frequent starting. and stopping of the machine. The above-mentioned pads. are preferably so constructed and arranged as to. isolate shock as well as vibrations incident to-the operation of the machine. For this purpose it has been found desirable to employ somewhat lighter or thinner pads on the shelves adjacent the right end of the machine, at which the power receiving pulley is mounted, than those adjacent the left end of the machine. The latter thus more. efiectively isolate vibrations incident to theoperation of the machine While those adjacent the right end serve to absorb or isolate-the shock. loads effectively and, to a substantial extent, also the. vibrations. Tofacilitate this arrangementofthe pads, the. shelves at the left end of the machine are "atv a. slightly lower elevation than those at the right or pulley end of the machine.

Another special feature of the improved construction is the provision of a spring clip element in the region of the hinge plate provided adjacent the right end of the sewing machine base. It should be mentioned in this connection that the invention is particularly suitedv for use with lockstitch sewing machines which'areusually so mounted that they may be swung backwardly on hinges to render certain mechanism in the base of the machine readily accessible. T'ne spring clip mentioned.co operates with the right hand hinge element carried by the base of .themachine and serves to retain the machine in proper position, endwise of the drip pan.

Afurther feature of the invention isthe provision of two or'more resilient plastic buttons, preferably formed of polyethylene but suitably formed. of rubber or other material of like character. These buttons are inserted in suitableopenings in the base of the machine frame and extend slightly therefrom to cooperate with the inner surface of certainv of 'the vertical walls of the drip pan, to prevent contact therewith of the machine frame in spite of twisting forces imparted to the latter by the driving belt. For conventional installations involving a sewing machine arranged to be driven by an electric transmitter mounted beneaththe table top and rearwardly of the sewing machine, it has been found that two such buttons are adequate, one being positioned on the frontface-of the base of the machine adjacent its left end and the other on the rear face of cent its right end. Installations of other types may require three or more buttons of the character mentioned to insure against metal to metal contact between the machine frame and the drip pan. 7

Still another feature of the improved drip pan construction is the provision of two fastening lugs extending rearwardly from the horizontal flange of the bezel section. To the under surface of each of the lugs there is secured the hinge plate mentioned arranged to fit into a suitable recess in the table top. The lugs and binge plates are prow'ded with elongated openings arranged to receive large screws in a manner to permit slight adjustment of the bezel section in relation to the table top from front to rear. Preferably the opening through the lug adjacent the left end of the bezel section is countersunk so that the top of the screw mentioned may be flush with or slightly below the upper surface of the horizontal flange of the bezel. In this way interference with the free movement of the work across the flange of the bezel is avoided. The screw associated with the right hand fastening lug of the bezel section also serves to retain the bed positioning spring clip above mentioned.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the same which will now be given in conjunction with the accompanyung drawings in which:

Fig. l is a plan view of a portion of a sewing table top or board carrying the improved drip pan construction with a sewing machine mounted thereon;

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section through the table board and drip pan with a sewing machine shown in elevation in relation thereto;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view, in vertical section taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1 showing the right hand hinge construction;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a portion of the table top with the drip pan unit mounted thereon, portions being broken away to illustrate parts beneath the table top;

'Fig. 5 is a detail view in plan of a spring clip element embodied in the construction;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the spring clip as seen from the bottom of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section through the spring clip, taken along the line 7-7 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of the drip pan unit with a lubricant collecting jar shown in section;

Fig. 9 is a detail view in plan showing the formation at one of the corners of the drip pan unit;

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of the parts shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 11-41 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of a clip element for retaining a vibration isolating pad;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of one of the vibration isolating pads;

Fig. 14 is an elevational view of the padas seen from the left in Fig. 1 3;

Fig. 15 is a view of the pad as seen from the top of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is an end elevational view of the drip pan unit as seen from the right in Fig. 8;

Fig. 17 is a plan view of a hinge plate-embodied in the construction;

Fig. 18 is anelevational view of the hinge plate; and

Fig. 19 is a transverse vertical section through the drip pan and a portion of the table top taken along the line 19,19 of Fig. 4.

Referring now to the drawings, the improved drip pan construction has been illustrated in a form particularly adapted for the proper support and positioning of a lockstitch sewing machine of the character disclosed in my pending application Serial No. 559,604, filed January 17, 1956.

the base of the machine adja- M' leg structure, or the like.

A conventional table top 10 may be employed, this being supported in any suitable way by an appropriate It is provided with a main opening 10a (Fig. l) which extends completely through the board and is of generally rectangular form but preferably provided with rounded corners. In view of the nature of the improved drip pan construction, it is not necessary that the opening be formed with great precision to fit the base of the frame of the sewing machine. The table board is also provided with a second opening 1% extending therethrough for the passage of the usual driving belt which connects the sewing machine with a motor and clutch unit below the table top. Within the main opening 10a there is mounted a drip pan unit 11 which is formed in two sections, namely, a top bezel section 12 and a bottom pan section 13 (Figs. 8 and 16). The bezel section 12 has relatively shallow vertical walls 14- extending completely around the contour of the opening 10a through the table board. These walls preferably have a slight clearance in relation to the walls of the opening 10a to enable adjustment of the drip pan unit to a limited extent from front to rear and from side to side to insure proper alignment of the belt opening 10b with the pulleys to be connected by the belt. Bezel section 12 also has a horizontally extending flange 15 .at its top adapted to rest upon the upper surface of the table top. This flange extends completely around the top of the bezel section and thus provides a firm support for the drip pan unit and the sewing machine carried thereby. When the bezel section is properly located in the opening 10a it may be secured to the table top by screws or nails passing through the flange 15 or the vertical wall 14 or both. It may, however, be retained simply by screw means passing through extensions of the flange 15 to be hereinafter described. Preferably the free outer edges of the flange 15 are curled downwardly as indicated at 15a in Fig. 11.

At the four corners of the bezel section the downwardly extending wall 14 is provided with an inwardly extending shelf 16 (Figs. 9, 10 and 11) and centrally of the latter there is a further downward extension 17. As will be explained, the shelf 16 provides supports for the sewing machine.

The drip pan section 13 of the unit is ofsubstantially the same contour as the bezel section and has relatively deep vertical walls in alignment with the walls 14 of the bezel section. As shown in Fig. 8, the bottom 18 of the pan section slopes downwardly from the left toward the right so that any lubricant collected in the pan will be delivered toward the right. Also to insure delivery of the lubricant to a particular point, preferably adjacent the from right corner of the pan, the portion of the bottom of the pan at the right end is made substantially horizontal and is provided with a depression 19 of semicircular cross section which gradually becomes deeper from the rear toward the front where it communicates with a funnel-like downward extension 20 arranged to discharge the lubricant into a jar 21 or the like releasably retained beneath the funnel by a spring clip 22 (Fig. 8). At the four corners of the pan section flat walls 23 (Figs. 8 and 16) are provided at an angle of 45 to the main, front, rear and end walls. These walls 23 are aligned with the downward extensions 17 of the bezel section and positioned just inwardly of the latter so that these downward extensions may be readily secured by welding or the like to the walls 23. In this way the two sections of the drip pan unit are firmly united.

To enable rearward tilting of the sewing machine in relation to the drip pan and table top, the flange 15 of the bezel section of the drip pan is provided with a pair of rearward extensions or lugs 24 (Fig. 4). To the underface of each of these extensions there is secured, by welding or the like, a hinge plate 2.5 the details of which are shown in Figs. 17 and 18. This .plate has an opening 25a through it and, forwardly of this, a depressed bar-like pivot formation 25b. The plate may suitably be stamped into this configuration. The base of the sewing machine frame carries I6Ei.l"=.V3I'dlY extending hingev elements 26 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) each having a notched portion fitted over the bar-like portion 25b of the plate. As best shown in Fig. 3, when the machine is in its normal operating position, a slight clearance is provided between the elements 25b and 26. However, when the machine is tilted rearwardly about thepivots provided by elements 25b, the two parts of the hinge structure come into engagement. This arrangement is such that, when the machine is in operation, vibrations developed in the machine will not be imparted through the hinges to the drip .pan or table top. The latter, as also best shown in Fig. 3, is recessed slightly to receive the plate 25 and maintain the surrounding flange of the bezel section substantially at the level of the table top.

The right hand lug or extension 24 of the flange 15 has mounted upon it a spring clip 27, the details of which are best shown in Figs. 57, inclusive. At its forward end this clip has downwardly extending portions 27a disposed over the inner surface of the rear vertical wall 14 of the bezel section and preferably the lower ends of the portions 27a are curled inwardly to snap under the lower edge .of the wall 1.4. Resilient tongues 27b extending downwardly and inwardly toward the center line of the clip 27 are arranged to engage the opposite sides of the right hand hinge pin 26 carried by the machine frame. The arrangement is such that the machine is held against any appreciable movement in a direction longitudinally of the drip pan so that contact between the ends of the machine frame and the ends of the drip pan is prevented. A similar spring clip may, if desired, be provided over the left hand extension 24, but this is not necessary and is preferably omitted. A screw 28 (Figs. 2 and 3) which passes through an opening 270 in the spring clip 27 and through openings 24:: and 250, elongated from front to rear of the machine, serves to secure the several parts to the table board into which the shank of the screw is threaded. The elongated form of the openings 24a and 250 enables slight adjustment of the drip pan from front to rear for proper location of the pan and the machine in relation to the belt opening b through the table. A screw 29 (Fig. 1) passing through an elongated and countersunk opening 24b in the left hand extension 24 serves similarly to retain the drip pan in adjusted. relation to the opening through the table top. Preferably the screw 29 has a frusto-conical shoulder on the underside of its head so that in cooperation with the countersunk opening 241: the top of the screw may be positioned flush with or slightly below the top of extension 24. This will avoid interference with the free passage of the work over the cloth plate.

On each of the shelves 16 there is mounted a vibration isolating pad formed of suitable material, such as rubber. Preferably the pads provided on the shelves at the left end of the drip pan are slightly thicker and heavier than those provided on the shelves at the right end of the drip pan. This is to provide most effective vibration isolation and at the same time to provide for shock absorption or isolation at the right end of the machine where frequent shocks are imparted by the starting and stopping of the machine. It should be mentioned in this connection that the shelves 16 at the left end of the drip pan are positioned at a slightly lower level than those at the right end, as shown in Fig. 8, so that the upper surfaces of all of the pads will be in the same plane. In the preferred embodiment of the invention they are arranged to cooperate with the under surface of the cloth plate of the machine to support the latter.

A preferred form of pad for the shelves at the left end of the drip pan is illustrated in Figs. 13-15. This is designated generally by the reference numeral 30. It involves a plurality of upstanding ribs 3-1 extending from the straight inner edge of the pad to the arcuate =outer. edgethereof; 'Downwardly extendingribs -32,-at right angles to the ribs 3 l, are provided on the opposite race of the pad and these rest upon the. top surfacev of the shelf 16. A relatively thin layer 33' is provided between the two sets of ribs. This type of pad has been found to provide excellent vibration isolation. Its resilience combined with its resistance to undue compression are such as to achieve this purpose. The pads provided on the shelves at the right end of the drip pan are similar to the pads 30 with the exception that the downwardly extending ribs 32 are omitted, thus providing a fiat bottom 32a (Figs. 10 and'l-l) and making these pads thinner than those at the left end. This brings about greater shock isolation and yet adequate vibration isolation. It'should be noted that the thin pad as shown in Fig. 11 is on about. a three to one scale in comparison with the thicker pad of Figs. 13 to 15. In Fig. 10 the thin pad is. shown on the same scale as the pad shown in Figs. 13.to 15. Thus, the thickness of the pads at the left end is about 1.5 times the thickness Y of the pads at the right end. They shelves 16 at the right end are at a slightly higher eleva-- tion than those at the left end so that the tops of all the pads will be at a distance Z below the level of' the flange 15.

To retain the pads on the shelves there is provided a: clip 34 (Figs. 9-12). This has a main body portion 35 the free end of which has an upturned edge 36 adapted to fit into an opening extending through the shelf. At its inner end the clip is bent back upon itself to provide a top portion in the form of spring fingers 3-7 adapted to be inserted in the grooves between the ribs 31 of. the pad. The clip is applied to the shelf by passing the body portion 35 through an opening 17a in the downward extension 17, of the shelves and to then position the other portions of the clip in the manner described.

In view of the'downward and rearward angle ofpull of the drive belt for the sewing machine, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, there is a tendency to twist the macltne about a substantially vertical axis in. a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 1). To offset this there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a plurality of plugs 38 formed of polyethylene or other suitable mbberlike, vibration isolating material. It has been found that two such plugs are adequate in mostinstances. One of these is mounted in the base of' the frame of the sewing machine in its rearwardly facing wall adjacent the right end (Fig: 1)., The other is mounted in the forwardly facing wall of the base of the machine to the left of the. transverse center line of the latter. Should the nature ofthe installation of the machine so require, additional plugs of the same character may be located at other points. They sewe to prevent metalto metal contact between the frame of the sewing machine and the drip pan. They also serve to retain the hinge elements 26, carried by the machine, inspacedrelation to the cooperating portions 251) of the plates 25.

The lower or pan portion of the drip pan unit ispreferably provided witha large opening 39 (Figs. 4 and 8) in the front and at the left end thereof. This opening provides ready access to the rotary hook of the machine for removal and replacement of the bobbin case.- The formation of the .opening is such that a ledge 390 extends up-. wardly a slight distance from the bottom of the pan adjacent the rear and right side of the opening to prevent discharge of lubricant through the opening.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 2, 4-, 8 and 19, there is preferably mounted, directly in the pan portion of the drip pan unit, a knee press mechanism by which the presser bar of the sewing machine may be readily lifted under knee control. For this purpose a bushing 44) is provided in each of the front and rear walls of the pan and a rock shaft 41 is journaled in these bushings. To the forward end of the rock shaft there is secured an arm 42, preferably by copper welding. This carries adjustably a downwardly extending arm 4-3 at the lower, end of which there is secured a knee pad 44. Withinv the pan a collar 45; -secured to the shaft 41, retains the latter againstlongi tudinal movement, in cooperation with the arm 42. 'A rock member 46 secured to the shaft 41 has an arm arranged to be positioned for proper cooperation with a member, such as a lever, on the sewing machine which operates the presser bar lifting mechanism. A spring 47 cooperating at one end with the bottom of the pan and at the other end with an arm of the member 46 serves to urge the latter normally in a clockwise direction (Fig. 8) until an adjustable stop screw 48 engages the bottom of the pan. When the knee press pad is operated the member 46 is rocked in a counterclockwise direction against the action of the spring until a second adjustable screw 49 engages the bottom of the pan. Member 46 may be shifted along the shaft 41 to any desired position of adjustment to insure proper cooperation of the member with the presser bar lifting mechanism. A set screw 50 (Fig. 19) serves to lock the member in set position.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing detailed description of the various features of the new drip pan construction that each of the two sections thereof lends itself to economical production by a simple stamping operation with little preliminary or subsequent machining of any character. Since the drip pan unit does not retain any substantial amount of lubricant, and is not in the nature of a lubricant reservoir from which lubricant is circulated to any of the operating parts of the machine, it is not necessary that it be oil-tight or dust proof. The spacing shown between the two sections 12 and 13' is not objectionable, but may, if desired, be reduced and substantially eliminated by slight variation of the parts particularly adjacent the four corners.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in considerable detail, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the general principles of the invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. Supporting means for a sewing machine which comprises a table top having a first opening therein of substantially rectangular form to receive the base of a sewing machine and a further opening for the passage of a driving belt, a member sutficiently open at its top and bottom to enable the base of-a sewing machine to extend therethrough and having a vertically extending wall fitted within said first opening, said wall having such clearance in relation to said opening as to enable slight adjustment of said member from front to back and from side to side within said opening, said member having a horizontally extending flange at its top overlying said table top completely around the periphery of said first opening, a shelf extending horizontally inwardly into said opening from the vertical wall of said member only at each of the corners thereof, each of said shelves being disposed a predetermined distance below said flange, and a cushioning pad on each of said shelves, said pads being adapted to engage and support the lower portion of the sewing machine within said opening and adapted to isolate Vlblfl'.

tions of said machine from said member and said table top.

2. Supporting means for a sewing machine which comprises a table top having a first opening therein of substantially rectangular form to receive the base of a. sewing machine and a further opening for the passage of a driving belt, a member open at its top and bottom and having a vertically extending wall fitted within said first opening, said wall having such clearance in relation to said opening as to enable slight adjustment of said member from front to back and from side to side within said opening, said member having a horizontally extending flange at itstop overlying said tabletop around the periphery of said first opening, a pan separate from said member but connected with said member and suspended in a position below the same to collect oil which drips from said sewing machine, a shelf extending inwardly into said opening from the vertical wall of said member only 8. at each of the corners thereof, and a cushioning pad on each of said shelves, said pads being arranged to engage and support the. lower portion of the sewing machine within said opening and adapted to isolate vibrations of said machine from said member and said table top.

3. Supporting means for a sewing machine which comprises a table top having a first opening therein of substantially rectangular form to receive the base of a sewing machine and a further opening for the passage of a driving belt, a member open at its top and bottom and having a vertically extending wall fitted within said first opening, said wall having such clearance in relation to said opening as to enable slight adjustment of said member from front to back and from side to side within said opening, said member having a horizontally extending flange at its top overlying said table top around the periphery of said first opening, a pan connected with said member and positioned below the same to collect oil which drips from said sewing machine, said member and pan being formed of thin metal and being secured together at spaced points and in spaced relation, a shelf extending inwardly into said opening from the vertical wall of said member at each of the corners thereof, and a cushioning pad on each of said shelves, said pads being arranged to engage and support the lower portion of the sewing machine within said opening and adapted to isolate vibrations of said machine from said member and said table top.

4. Supporting means for a sewing machine having a cloth plate which comprises a table top having a first opening therein of substantially rectangular form to receive the lower portion of said cloth plate of a sewing machine and a further opening for the passage of a driving belt, a member sufiiciently open at its top and bottom to enable the base of a sewing machine to extend therethrough and having a vertically extending wall fitted within said first opening, said wall having such clearance in relation to said opening as to enable slight adjustment of said member from front to back and from side to side within said opening, said member having ahorizontally extending flange at its top overlying said table top completely around the periphery of said first opening, a shelf extending horizontally inwardly into said opening from the vertical wall of said member at each of the corners thereof, each of said shelves being disposed a predetermined distance below said flange, and a cushioning pad on each of said shelves, said pads being so positioned as to be adapted to engage and support the lower portion of the sewing machine within said opening with the top of the cloth plate of the machine approximately at the level of said table top and being adapted to isolate vibrations of said machine from said member and said table top.

5. Supporting means for a sewing machine having a cloth plate which comprises a table top having a first opening therein of substantially rectangular form to receive the underside of said cloth plate of a sewing machine and a further opening for the passage of a driving belt,

a member open at its top and bottom and having a vertically extending wall fitted within said first opening, said wall having such clearance in relation to said opening as to enable slight adjustment of said member from front to back and from side to side within said opening, said member having a horizontally extending flange at its top overlying said table top around the periphery of said first opening, a shelf extending inwardly into said opening from the vertical wall of said member at each of the corners thereof, and a cushioning padon each of said shelves, said pads being so positioned as to be adapted to engage and support the lower portion of the sewing machine within said opening with the top of said cloth plate substantially at the level of said table top and being adapted to isolate vibrations of said machine from said member and said table top, the shelves arranged to support one end of said machine being at a difierent elevation from those arranged to support the other end of 9. said machine, and the pads on the several shelves being of such thickness that the upper surfaces of all are in the same horizontal plane, the pads adapted to support the end of the machine incident to greatest shockbeing thinner than those adjacent the other end.

6. A sewing structure comprising a sewing machine, a table top having a machine receiving opening, and a member intermediate said machine and table top for supporting and positioning said machine on said table top, means for securing said member to said table top, cooperating hinge means on said machine and said member enabling tilting of said machine in relation to said table top, said cooperating hinge means having clearances between opposed surfaces which allow longitudinal movement of said machine in relation to said member, and resilient means carried by said member cooperating with the hinge means on said machine for retaining the latter against endwise movement in relation to said member.

7. A sewing structure comprising a sewing machine, a table top having a machine receiving opening, and a member intermediate said machine and table top for supporting and positioning said machine on said table top, means for securing said member to said table top, cooperating hinge means on said machine and said member enabling tilting of said machine in relation to said table top, said cooperating hinge means having clearances between opposed surfaces which allow longitudinal movement of said machine in relation to said member, and resilient means carried by said member cooperating with the hinge means on said machine for retaining the latter against endwise movement in relation to said member, said'resilient means being secured to said member by said first mentioned means.

8. A sewing structure comprising a sewing machine, a table top having a machine receiving opening, and a member intermediate said machine and table top for sup porting and positioning said machine on said tabletop, means for securing said member to said table top, cooperating hinge means on said machine and said member enabling tilting of said machine in relation to said table top, said cooperating hinge means having clearances between opposed surfaces normally allowing endwise movement of said machine relative to said member, and means carried by said member cooperating with the hinge means on said machine for retaining the latter against endwise movement in relation to said member, said last'mentioned means comprising a spring clip having fingers arranged to engage said hinge means on said sewing machine.

9. Supporting means for a sewing machine which comprises a table top having a first opening therein of substantially rectangular form to receive the base of a sewing machine and a further opening for the passage of a driving belt, a member open at its top and bottom and having a vertically extendingwall fitted within said first opening, said wall having such clearance in relation to said opening as to enable slight adjustment of said memher from front to back and from side to side within said opening, said member having a horizontally extending flange at its top overlying said table top around the periphery of said first opening, a shelfextending inwardly into said opening from the vertical wall of said member at each of the corners thereof, and a cushioning pad on each of said shelves, said pads being arranged to engage and support the lower portion of the sewing machine within said opening and adapted to isolate vibrations of said machine from said member and said table top, certain of said pads disposed adjacent that end of said member which is subject to greatest shock being thinner than others disposed adjacent the other end of said member and being arranged to isolate shock incident to starting and stopping the machine.

10. A sewing structure comprising a sewing machine, a table top having a machine receiving opening, and a member intermediate said machine and table top for supporting and positioning said machine on said table top, meansforfixedly securing said member to said table top, cooperating hinge, means on said machine and said member enabling tilting of said machine in relation to said table top, said cooperating. hinge means having clearances between opposed surfaces normally allowing endwise movement of said machine relative to said member, spring meanscarried by said member cooperating with the hinge means on said machine for retaining the latter against endwise movement in relation to said member, and spaced cushioning means between vertical walls of said member and adjacent portionsof said machine for preventing twistingmovement of said machine horizontally in relation to said member.

11. A sewing structure comprising a sewing machine, a table top having a machine receiving opening, and a member intermediate said machine and table top for supportingand positioning said machine on said table top, means for fixedly securing said member to said table top; said member being open at its top and bottom and having a plurality of shelves below the top thereof, vibration isolating pads on said shelves, said machine being arran ed to rest upon said pads and being free to shift relative thereto, and a plurality of button-like vibration isolating means interposed between vertical surfaces on said machine and said member at widely spaced points for retaining the same out of direct engagement with each other 12. A sewing structure comprising a sewing machine, a table top having a machine receiving opening, and a member intermediate said machine and table top for supporting and positioning said machine on said table top, said member being open at its top and bottom and having a horizontal flange at itstop for supporting the same on said table and having vertical walls extending downwardly within said opening, means for securing said member in fixed relationto said table top, shelves extending inwardly from saidvertical walls, vibration isolating pads on said shelves, said machine being arranged to rest on said pads, means including a belt for driving said sewing machine, said belt serving to impart twisting movements to. said machine. about a vertical axis, and button-like means formed ofrelatively soft vibration isolating material interposed between said machine and said vertical walls for preventing said twisting movements.

13. Supporting means for a sewing machine which comprises atable top having a firstv opening therein of substantially rectangularform toreceive the base-of a sewing machine and a further opening for the passage of a driving belt, a member open at its top and bottom and having a vertically extending wall fitted within said first opening, said wallhaving such clearance in relation to said opening as to enable slight adjustment of said member from front. to backand from side to side within said opening, said member having a horizontally extending flange at its top overlying said table top around the entire periphery of said first opening, a plurality of shelves extending horizontally inwardly from the vertically extending wall of said member and arranged to support said sewing machine, a panconnected with said member and positioned below the same to collect oil which drips from said sewing machine, said member and pan being formed of thin metal and being secured together at spaced points and in vertically spaced relation to each other, a rock shaft extending through walls of said pan, a knee-press member mounted on said shaft outside of said pan, and a member mounted on said shaft within said pan arranged to cooperate with an operative part of said sewing machine.

14. Supporting means fora sewing machine which comprises a table board having an opening therethrough of substantially rectangular form to receive the base of a sewing machine, a member having a vertically extending wall fitted within said opening and having substantially the same contour as the latter, a shelf extending into said span too opening from each of the corners of the vertical wall of said member some distance below the top of the member, each of said shelves having an inner edge extending diagonally across its related corner, a vibration isolating pad mounted on each of said shelves, each of said pads having a plurality of upstanding ribs presenting spacing grooves therebetween extending perpendicularly to said inner edge of the related shelf, and a clip for securing each of said pads to its respective shelf, said clip having a portion extending beneath the shelf and having resilient fingers disposed within said grooves below the-tops of said ribs, the tops of said ribs being arranged to engage downwardly facing surfaces on said sewing machine to support the same.

15. Supporting means for a sewing machine which comprises a table board having an opening therethrough of substantially rectangular form to receive the base of a sewing machine, a member having a vertically extending wall fitted within said opening and having substantially the same contour as the latter, a shelf extending into said opening from each of the corners of the vertical wall of said member, a vibration isolating pad mounted on each of said shelves, each of said pads having a plurality of upstanding ri'bs presenting spacing grooves therebetween, and a resilient metal clip for securing each of said pads to its respective shelf, each of said shelves having an opening therethrough, each clip having an upstanding flange arranged to enter the opening in its related shelf to position the clip thereon, each of said clips having an upper portion providing resilient fingers arranged to be disposed in certain of the grooves in said pads below the tops of the ribs of said pads, said sewing machine having surfaces thereon arranged to rest upon the tops of said ribs to support said machine thereon.

16. Supporting means for a sewing machine which comprises a table board having an opening therethrough of substantially rectangular form to receive the base of a sewing machine, a member having a vertically extending wall fitted within said opening and having substantially the same contour as the latter, a shelf extending into said opening from each of the corners of the vertical wall of said member, a vibration isolating pad mounted on each of said shelves, each of said pads having a plurality of upstanding ribs presenting spacing grooves therebetween, and a resilient metal clip for securing each of said pads to its respective shelf, each of said shelves having an opening therethrough, each clip having an upstanding fiange arranged to enter the opening in its related shelf to position the clip thereon, each of said clips having an 7 upper portion providing resilient fingers arranged to be disposed in certain of the grooves in said pads below the tops of the ribs of said pads, said sewing machine having surfaces thereon arranged to rest upon the tops of said ribs to support said machine thereon, certain of said pads having downwardly extending ribs disposed transversely to said first mentioned ribs and arranged to rest upon their respective shelves.

17. Supporting means for a sewing machine which comprises a table board having an opening therethrough of substantially rectangular form to receive the base of a sewing machine, a member having a vertically extending wall fitted within said opening and having substantially 12 the same contour as the latter, a shelf extending into said opening from each of the corners of the vertical wall of said member, a vibration isolating pad mounted on each of said shelves, each of said pads having a plurality of upstanding ribs presenting spacing grooves therebetween, and a resilient metal clip for securing each of said pads to its respective shelf, each of said shelves having an opening therethrough, each clip having an upstanding flange arranged toenter the opening in its related shelf to position the clip thereon, each of said clips having an upper portion providing resilient fingers arranged to be disposed in certain of the grooves in said pads below the tops of the ribs of said pads, said sewing machine having surfaces thereon arranged to rest upon the tops of said ribs to support said machine thereon, certain of said pads having downwardly extending ribs disposed transversely to said first mentioned ribs and arranged to rest upon their respective shelves, the tops of said first mentioned ribs being disposed in the same horizontal plane.

18. Supporting means for a sewing machine which comprises a table board having an opening therethrough of substantially rectangular form to receive the base of a sewing machine, a member having a vertically extending wall fitted Within said opening and having substantially the same contour as the latter, a shelf extending into said opening from each of the corners of the vertical wall of said member, a vibration isolating pad mounted on each of said shelves, each ofsaid pads having a plurality of upstanding ribs presenting spacing grooves therebetween, and a resilient metal clip for securing each of said pads to its respective shelf, each of said shelves having an opening therethrough, each clip having an upstanding flange arranged to enter the opening in its related shelf to position the clip thereon, each of said clips having an upper portion providing resilient fingers arranged to be disposed in certain of the grooves in said pads below the tops of the ribs of said pads, said sewing machine having surfaces thereon arranged to rest upon the tops of said ribs to support said machine thereon, certain of said pads having downwardly extending ribs disposed transversely to said first mentioned ribs and arranged to rest upon their respective shelves, and other of said pads having a flat bottom surface in engagement with their related shelves and having a less overall height than said certain of said pads.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 780,332 Forshee Jan. 17, 1905 928,520 Huysmans July 20, 1909 1,237,680 Needle Aug. 21, 1917 1,295,133 DeVoe Feb. 25, 1919 1,299,143 DeVoe Apr. 1, 1919 2,347,629 Hale Apr. 25, 1944 2,419,064 Fite et a1 Apr. 15, 1947 2,534,137 Lewis Dec. 12, 1950 2,694,375 Attwood Nov. 16, 1954 2,785,031 Zanger Mar. 12, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 709,044 Great Britain May 12, 1954 

